Sneezewort is not easily confused with other wild plants on this web site.

This is an attractive, erect, medium sized perennial which grows in damp grassy places and marshes. The daisy-type flowers (12-20mm) are made up of broad, short rays (petals) and the centre is a disc of tubular florets. They are borne on tall stems (to 60cm) in flat clusters from July to September. The leaves of Sneezewort are stalkless, narrow and have finely serrated edges. This is a native plant belonging to the family Asteraceae.

I first identified this plant in Maghery, Co Donegal in 1980 and photographed it in the Burren, Co Clare in 1985.

This plant, which is highly valued by insects, is poisonous to sheep, cattle and horses. The dried leaves were used to make a type of snuff and a sneezing powder, as the name might suggest, and also the dried flowers were used to make a tea, which was a remedy for head colds and headaches.